Letting Trials Help to Develop My Character

In James 1:3-4 I read, “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (NLT)

We know the end of the story: Jesus is coming back! When he does, he will make all things right and just. And as his follower, I will spend eternity with him. Knowing how the story ends should change everything. One of the biggest ways it affects my life is that it should motivate me to use adversity to become stronger spiritually.

That’s what James says I should do while I’m on earth waiting for Jesus’ second coming: “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing” (James 1:3-4 NLT).

I will face stress, problems, difficulties, and trouble in this life. In the time between now and when I die or Christ comes back, I should use those trials to develop endurance and become more like Christ in character.

Does becoming like Christ sound impossible? The Bible says God can do that work in us: “May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 The Message).

Am I whole or am I fragmented? Am I put together, or am I falling apart? These days, everyone is feeling like we’re falling apart a little, but it’s okay. I’m not supposed to have it all together. I’m not perfect, and I won’t be while I’m here on earth. I can’t change that. What I can do is work on getting spiritually fit in preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ.

It’s important to stay physically fit and take care of my mental health. But I cannot neglect my spiritual fitness. I don’t need to be the strongest, fastest, or healthiest when it comes to being spiritually fit. I just need to keep working on it and recognize that the trouble I face is often an opportunity to grow in faith.

So with whatever I’m facing, I can turn to God’s Word and his promises. When it feels like I’m falling apart, remember that God is still working to make me more like him, and he can use even the most difficult circumstances in my life to do it.

In summary, when my faith is tested, my endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when my endurance is fully developed, I will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. I can keep in mind that Jesus is coming back and when he does, he will make all things right and just. As his follower, I will get to spend eternity with him. Knowing how the story ends should change everything. It should motivate me to use adversity to become stronger spiritually. I will face stress, problems, difficulties, and trouble in this life. In the time between now and when I die or Christ comes back, I should use trials in my life to develop endurance and become more like Christ in character. These days, everyone is feeling like we’re falling apart a little, but it’s okay. I’m not supposed to have it all together. I’m not perfect, and I won’t be while I’m here on earth. I can’t change that. What I can do is work on getting spiritually fit in preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ. I don’t need to be the strongest, fastest, or healthiest when it comes to being spiritually fit. I just need to keep working on it and recognize that the trouble I face is often an opportunity to grow in faith. So with whatever I’m facing, I can turn to God’s Word and his promises. When it feels like I’m falling apart, remember that God is still working to make me more like him, and he can use even the most difficult circumstances in my life to do it.

I face trials all the time in my current job. I am counted on and people turn to me for answers and assistance. It’s been overwhelming. Also coupled with this is that I feel our Sr. Leadership doesn’t seem to understand what’s happening and the pressures. These are all trials that I’m facing. Trusting in God that he is working through the circumstances is what helps me continue on. Today I will remember to turn toward God’s promises to help me as I feel overwhelmed by stress. I ask you Father for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray this through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.